Understanding of Detailed Water Supply and Demand Gap under Rapid Socio-economic Development in China

Abstract

Water is a vital and precious resource in this 21 century. Regions where are located at arid and semi-arid climate conditions concern that water will become more severe constraint of economical growth. Dry-up is one of most representative phenomena of water issues. It is said that increases in water demand associated with rapid socio-economic development and decreases, or say unstable, in water resource (water supply) lead the sever water shortage especially in the arid and semi-arid regions. However, the causes of the water shortage, especially relationship between spatial allocations of water supply and demand structures, have not been completely understood. Therefore, this study clarifies relationship between the water supply and demand gaps in China. Firstly, the regional water demand was estimated by using the socio-economic macro framework. Secondary, the allocation of water resource was assessed by using the observed climate data. Finally, the gaps between water demands and supplies were shown by the fine spatial resolutions.